Boulder County, Colo. - On Monday, August 17, 2020 at approximately 8:51 p.m., the Boulder County Communications Center was notified of a missing 30-year-old female possibly in western Boulder County. Sheriff’s deputies searched local trailheads and located the missing female's vehicle at the Brainard Lake Recreation Area at approximately 11:40 p.m. Search and rescue teams responded to begin searching the area at night.

During the night of August 17, rescuers searched on foot and with unmanned aerial system (UAS). During the day of August 18, rescuers searched on foot, with a search dog, and on horseback. At approximately 11:30 a.m., searchers and passing hikers located personal belongings on the shore of Blue Lake. The searchers and hikers also observed a body submerged in Blue Lake. Blue Lake is at 11,309 feet elevation and a three-mile hike into the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Water and dive rescue teams responded to perform the water recovery and assist search and rescue teams with the three-mile litter evacuation.

The search and recovery lasted approximately twenty-four hours and required sixty-four rescuers. Agencies assisting with this search and recovery included: American Land and Leisure, American Medical Response, Boulder County Coroner’s Office, Boulder County Mounted Search and Rescue, Boulder Emergency Squad, City of Boulder Fire-Rescue Department, Indian Peaks Fire Department, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group. Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deputies, detectives, emergency services, fire management, and victim advocates.

The death investigation is on-going. At this time, foul play is not suspected. The official cause and manner of death, along with identification of the deceased, will be determined by the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff's Office case number is: #20-3647.

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/s/ Kevin Harner, Emergency Services Coordinator